To invest smartly in broadband networks in your community, the key is to plan, plan, plan. And it’s important that entities work together – cities, counties, states, universities, public schools, hospitals and others.

Without substantial planning, you risk wasting money on ineffective projects that you and your community will regret later.

Take Akron, Ohio, as a good example of the power of collaboration: A new broadband network is going live this summer.

While our team at the Knight Center of Digital Excellence initiated the effort, it didn’t take much prodding to get buy-in from Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic’s office, the University of Akron and others. Each had something to contribute, and each would receive a return on investment from the sustainable community network.

As designing began for a 12-square mile wireless network in Akron, stakeholders realized that the university’s existing campus network could be utilized for this project. The city also had some assets it could make available to the project, including buildings, fiber and conduit.

By reconfiguring a few devices controlling the university’s network and allowing public access across the campus, the first part of Akron’s wireless district became a reality with minimal additional investment. It simply took engaging the right stakeholders and undertaking a bit of collaborative planning, starting with people coming together around a table.

Another example: Miami, Fla., where the Elevate Miami program is teaching digital literacy to children and adults of all ages. The project involves Florida International University, the city of Miami and community centers around the city.

At 40 locations across Miami, university students will conduct classes for various groups of people. Small business owners, for instance, will learn how to use technology to advance their businesses. The elderly will learn to use email and other Internet applications to keep in touch with family and friends.

Private enterprise, too, can be part of the collaborative mix.

Xcel Energy is working with public entities in Boulder, Colo.

The state, county and local entities have come together to plan out broadband networks in conjunction with shovel-ready road projects. It’s a simple idea: If you are digging to build roads, why not lay fiber for broadband at the same time? The extra cost of adding conduit pipe for broadband fiber is minimal compared to the cost of digging twice.

In Boulder’s case, Xcel, the state’s largest utility, is wiring a broadband information network into power lines. The utility has laid more than 100 miles of fiber-optic cable so far. The new system will allow residents to manage their power usage, even enabling them to turn down their heat at home via a website that’s accessible anywhere.

Efficient use of networks can happen only through very substantial planning. It means that mayor’s offices, city and county planning departments, state agencies, and others need to work together toward large goals in the public interest.

This is a key recommendation from our team members at the Knight Center of Digital Excellence: Smart planning is the way for communities to get the most return from investments in infrastructure.